33 U.S.C. § 892a : US Code - Section 892A: Functions of the Administrator

Search 33 U.S.C. § 892a : US Code - Section 892A: Functions of the Administrator

(a) Responsibilities
To fulfill the data gathering and dissemination duties of the
Administration under the Act of 1947, the Administrator shall -
(1) acquire and disseminate hydrographic data;
(2) promulgate standards for hydrographic data used by the
Administration in providing hydrographic services;
(3) promulgate standards for hydrographic services provided by
the Administration;
(4) ensure comprehensive geographic coverage of hydrographic
services, in cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies;
(5) maintain a national database of hydrographic data, in
cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies;
(6) provide hydrographic services in uniform, easily accessible
formats;
(7) participate in the development of, and implement for the
United States in cooperation with other appropriate Federal
agencies, international standards for hydrographic data and
hydrographic services; and
(8) to the greatest extent practicable and cost-effective,
fulfill the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (6) through
contracts or other agreements with private sector entities.
(b) Authorities
To fulfill the data gathering and dissemination duties of the
Administration under the Act of 1947, and subject to the
availability of appropriations, the Administrator -
(1) may procure, lease, evaluate, test, develop, and operate
vessels, equipment, and technologies necessary to ensure safe
navigation and maintain operational expertise in hydrographic
data acquisition and hydrographic services;
(2) may enter into contracts and other agreements with
qualified entities, consistent with subsection (a)(8) of this
section, for the acquisition of hydrographic data and the
provision of hydrographic services;
(3) shall award contracts for the acquisition of hydrographic
data in accordance with title IX of the Federal Property and
Administrative Services Act of 1949; (!1) and
(4) shall, subject to the availability of appropriations,
design, install, maintain, and operate real-time hydrographic
monitoring systems to enhance navigation safety and efficiency.
(c) Conservation and management of coastal and ocean resources
Where appropriate and to the extent that it does not detract from
the promotion of safe and efficient navigation, the Secretary may
use hydrographic data and services to support the conservation and
management of coastal and ocean resources.